Confusion about GFCI receptacle


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Old 04-12-15, 07:28 AM
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Confusion about GFCI receptacle

My bathroom GFCI outlet has '15A recept' stamped on one side and, 'GFCI 20A' on the other. The receptacle was manufactured in 2002 and it is on a 15A circuit.

1) 15A vs GFCI 20A. Which???

2) If it is made for a 20A circuit, does this pose an issue being on 15A?
 
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Old 04-12-15, 07:34 AM
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Almost all ground fault circuit interrupter receptacle units can be used on 20 amp circuits and will pass 20 amps to the load terminals to power other things downstream. If it is stamped 20A then it can safely handle 20 amps through any combination of the load terminal pair and the receptacles on the front with no improper devices or adaptations such as an 20 amp tool being retrofitted with a 15 amp plug..

Some GFCI receptacle units have slot arrangements that will accept 15 amp plugs but not 20 amp plugs.

A receptacle that accepts a 20 amp plug should not be installed on a 15 amp circuit although even an experienced inspector might not catch that.
 
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Old 04-12-15, 07:37 AM
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A gfi receptacle counts as two receptacles so it does not need to the T slot 20 amp configuration.
 
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Old 04-12-15, 07:54 AM
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Thanks, I was thinking the 'T' slot was 30A since I don't see many of them around.
 
 

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